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Derry Police Dept. promotes 2 officers

DERRY — Derry police filled two key personnel positions Friday from within the department as a lieutenant and sergeant were both sworn in by Police Chief Ed Garone.

A 20-year veteran of the force, Frank Stoncius was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant; and Edward Budroe, a 14-year veteran was promoted to sergeant, said Capt. Vernon Thomas.

They were sworn in by Garone during a ceremony at the department.

Stoncius fills a position left by former Lt. Jon Twiss, a 28-year veteran of the force who left in August to become the police chief in Fremont.

Beginning last month, Derry police administrators looked from among the eight sergeants on staff to fill the post, Thomas said. And once the lieutenant's job was filled, it would in turn create a need to fill the vacant sergeant's post from the remaining officers on board, Thomas said.

"This will be an opportunity for several people who have experience and are interested in getting promoted," Thomas said.

The lieutenant job pays a salary of about $70,000 a year.

Stoncius was hired by the department in 1993. He has worked as a sergeant for three-and-a-half years and also served as shift supervisor, Thomas said.

Stoncius has had many specialized assignments during his police career, Thomas said. He was assigned to OHRV patrol and was a field training officer. He also assisted Thomas with the School Safety Program and was a representative for the Town Safety Committee, Thomas said.

Budroe began his career as a part-time officer with the Hampton Police Department in 1998. He was then hired by the Derry Police Department in 1999, Thomas said. He worked as a patrol officer before being assigned to the detective division in 2008.

During his career, Budroe has worked as a field training officer, a defense tactics instructor and a Taser instructor.

To attract the right candidates for the job, the department is willing to offer relatively higher paying salaries, Thomas said, adding that it is difficult to find qualified applicants without providing a salary of that scale.

It is a lot of money in a difficult economy, but those chosen for the position will earn every dollar, Thomas said.

"We make sure the officers earn it each day," Thomas said. "The job is not like any other. They make split-second decisions that get evaluated by others for months, perhaps years."